British shorthair cats are adorable – there is no doubting that. But how much is a British shorthair to buy? We explain the British shorthair price.
British Short Hair Price – Everything you need to know about buying a purebred
The first thing to know is that buying a British shorthair cat is not cheap, it will be an investment – especially if you are buying a kitten. A British shorthair kitten from a reputable breed is likely to set you back around £750-£1000 ($950 -$1250).
The colour of the British Short hair cat is likely to affect the price as well. Certain colours are rare, such as fawn and cinnamon, therefore you should expect to pay more for a kitten of this colour. The most ‘common’ British shorthair colour is Blue, therefore you may find this colouring is on the lower end of the price range.
While the price of a British shorthair is expensive, the breed is significantly cheaper than certain others, such as buying a Sphinx cat.
A similar breed, costing-wise, is a Maine Coon. The cost of a Maine Coon kitten is quite similar to that of a Shorthair, as is the price of a Ragdoll cat.
When purchasing from a respected breeder, you may find some of your initial Veterinary fees are included in this – for example, the kitten may come with their primary vaccinations and even a microchip. It is a good idea to discuss this when trying to find a breeder and deciding who to purchase your kitten from.
Do not be tempted to go for the cheapest option
When buying a British shorthair cat (or any pet!) it is not always a good idea to go for the cheapest price. While you do not want to get ripped off, you also do not want to buy from a backstreet breeder.
Do your research and buy from a respected breeder. By doing this you will ensure you are purchasing a healthy kitten who comes from a long line of well-bred British Shorthairs British Blues – it can also be a good idea to ask to see evidence of the kitten’s family line.
It is important to know British Short Hairs are not the same as Domestic Shorthairs – they are two very different breeds. But British shorthair cats which are blue in colour are often nicknamed British Blues.
While the cheapest option does not always mean bad, it is best to be suspicious and query how they are able to sell the kittens for a low price – especially if they are trying to rehome them quickly. A reputable breeder will always want to ensure their kittens are going to good, safe homes.
Again, this all goes back to the reputation and standards of the breeder. If you are looking for a pure, well-bred British shorthair, it is going to cost you. A good, respected breeder will not be looking to make a quick buck, they will be breeding the kittens because they have a love for the breed.
A respected breeder will most likely only breed from the same Queen once a year and when finding a stud (male) will have to ensure there is no cross in the lineage (to prevent any inbreeding). Many respected breeders also ensure they follow all of the guidelines set out by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy.
Other associated costs a British Blue Breeder may incur include:
- Stud fees (if they do not own the Stud)
- Genetic testing -to ensure healthy lineage
- Annual vaccinations and preventive treatment for the Queen
- High-quality food for the Queen and her kittens
- Primary vaccination costs for the kittens
- Veterinary health checks for the kittens
- Breed registration fee
- Microchips for the kittens
- +/- Neutering fees – some breeders may insist on proof of neutering to ensure you do not use the kitten for breeding.
- Time – While breeding cats may not be as time-consuming as breeding dogs, it still takes up a lot of time when done correctly and this will be factored into the price of a British shorthair kitten.
As mentioned previously, when done properly and respectfully breeding British Blues is not actually as lucrative as some people may think. It can often be more about continuing a good lineage of the breed.
How to find a good British shorthair cat breeder
If you are willing to pay for the price of a British shorthair, you want to make sure your money is going to the right place.
- Looking for a British Shorthair kitten for sale?
Ways to spot a good breeder:
- Asked your Veterinary surgery for recommendations
- Ask friends who may have a British shorthair or British Blue.
- Do not be afraid to ask the breeder questions! Questions may include: How long have you been breeding Maine Coons? Do the Queen and Stud have regular Vet checks? How many litters does the Queen have a year?
- Ask to see the kittens with the Queen – Do not purchase any kitten where you cannot see the mum with them (unless from a rescue)
- With purebred cats, ask to see proof of their lineage – a good breeder will have access to this.
- Ensure the kitten looks healthy. The cat’s eyes should be bright and free of discharge, ears should be clean and coat well kept. Have a hold of the kitten, it should be comfortable being held and not feel skinny or have a potbelly.
Before buying, ensure that you are satisfied with the health and conditions in which the cats and kittens are being kept.
Can you get a British shorthair from a rescue centre?
While it is a rarity, especially for a kitten, it is sometimes possible to rescue a pedigree breed from a shelter home. All types and breeds can sadly end up in rescue homes, so it can always be a good idea to talk to rescue homes as well.
At Ginger Cat House we always support ‘Adopt Don’t Shop’ and believe you can find your perfect cat in a rescue – whatever breed they may be.
However, if you have your heart set on a particular cat, say a Grey Maine Coon Kitten, you are unlikely to find one in rescue, and in this case, you may opt to buy from a breeder.
What other costs should you factor into the British shorthair cat price?
So we have established the average price of a British shorthair kitten is £750-£1000 but the costs do not stop there.
A cat is a long-term commitment (around 13 years for a British Blue) and with that comes costs. Other fees you will incur include:
| Vaccinations and yearly boosters | £40-£50 per year |
| Neutering | Male: £40-£60 Female: £60-£100 |
| Food | £20-£30 per month |
| Preventative flea and worming | £20 per month |
| Pet Insurance | £15 per month Depending on age and policy |
| Toys and a scratching post designed for a big cat | On going costs |
| Brushes – Find the best brushes for long-haired cats | £10 |
When buying a cat, the price obviously does not stop after the initial purchase price. Therefore you need to take this into consideration when deciding to buy a cat.
Veterinary fees are inevitable at some stage throughout your cat’s life. This will come in the form of preventative health issues such as neutering, vaccinations, and parasite control but sadly, also through natural ageing and if they become unwell. Therefore, we always recommend pet insurance, the price for this can vary, but on average it will be around £15 per month for a good comprehensive cover.
Obviously, your cat is going to need to eat, so food will be a consistent cost. Diet will change at different points throughout your cat’s life, from kitten to senior. The most important thing is to ensure you purchase a complete diet, not complementary.
Food costs will vary and often it may be beneficial to buy cat food in bulk from places like Amazon.
Depending on your home situation, you may also want to purchase an automatic cat feeder. We use this double feeder – it works great for what we need and includes cooling packs to ensure food stays fresh.
Other essentials to consider when weighing up the price of a cat are toys and brushes. All cats, especially kittens need toys. Toys are obviously for enjoyment but they also stop behavioral boredness which may result in problems or stress for your cat. Try to purchase a combination of toys that they play with you and toys that they can play with on their own – such as interactive toys.
A good cat tower scratching post will also be essential to prevent behavioral issues as well as allow your cat to display natural behaviors. The size you need will depend on the breed, for example, a British shorthair will want to buy a cat tree for large cats.
Other costs you may incur include a safe cat carrier (we love cat backpacks for ease), cattery fees if you go on holiday, microchipping (£25 roughly), cat flaps, etc.
British shorthairs grow to be stocky, muscular cats. On average, you will find when fully grown they are around 5-6kg in weight. While stocky breeds, they are not meant to be overweight, and therefore care should be taken to ensure they maintain a healthy size.
British Shorthairs are prone to a disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which can lead to heart failure. Whilst this condition is not curable, it can be treated with lifelong medication.
This does not mean the cat will 100% get this disease within their lifetime, it is just something to be aware of. Almost all pedigree breeds are predisposed to certain diseases.
The British Shorthair is a simple breed through and through, with a friendly, quiet character that makes it perfect for keeping with children and animals.
Yes, they are both the same breed. British Blue is the nickname given to the ‘Blue’ colour variation of this breed- which are often grey in colour. BUT British Shorthairs and Domestic Shorthairs are not the same breeds.
On average, Shorthairs can live anywhere from 12-17 years. This number can be affected by many factors, including the cat’s diet and exercise plan, living situation, and overall health.
Buying a cat should never be a quick decision or one which should be taken lightly. They are a huge commitment that costs a lot of money – but they are worth it and make wonderful pets and companions.
If you have your heart set on buying British short hair then do your research on breeders. Expect to pay a higher price for a British shorthair and do not ‘rush-buy’ a cheap or reduced-price cat from an online breeder who is just after a quick sale.
- Looking for some fun? Take on our ultimate cat quiz to test your knowledge.
- Find out our favourite cat hacks which include how to keep your cats away from your favourite house plants.
- At Ginger Cat House we always support adoption first, here are our favourite charities to adopt a cat in London. We are also strongly against and would never advise buying a pet on GumTree.
- If you are taking on a new cat check out all of my top-rated essentials for a new kitten.
- Finally, our favourite cat backpacks and our cat’s favourite ever toy.